Webinars
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Our "Lunch Bites" webinar series is designed to be short, but loaded with crisp snippets of information related to Farm to School programs and partnerships. We'll feature 20 minute presentations, followed by a short Q&A sessions. Presenters will stand by to answer additional questions if needed. Mark your calendars - "Lunch Bites" is on at 1 pm EST on the second Tuesday of every month. Register for a future webinar and check out recordings and resources from past webinars below. If you have suggestions for topics or speakers you'd like this series to cover, please send an email to Chelsey Simpson. |
Looking for more Farm to School webinars? The National Farm to School Network is partnering with edWeb.net to co-host the Growing School Gardens Community and their monthly webinar series.
For more information, visit their website: www.edweb.net/schoolgardens.
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Integrating Farm to School in Summer Feeding Programs (Register Here)
Tue, Jun 11th, 2013 12 p.m. - 12:20 p.m. CDT Summer is almost here, and school doors will soon be closing, yet many kids across the country will still enjoy healthy, local foods thanks to summer feeding programs. Join this Lunch Bites webinar to learn about on-the-ground examples of Farm to School in summer feeding programs. Contact: Chelsey Simpson |
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Local and State Governments: Key Partners in Farm to School (Register Here)
Tue, May 14th, 2013 12 p.m. - 12:20 p.m. CDT Join us to hear about two examples, one in Seattle and one in Boston, where local/state governments are key partners in supporting the growth of farm to school programs. Speakers will be Donna Oberg with the Healthy Eating and Active Living Program at Public Health Seattle & King County and Edith Murnane with the City of Boston's Office of Food Initiatives. Contact: Chelsey Simpson  Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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Locally Sourced Meat in School Meals: Strategies for success (Register Here)
Tue, Apr 9th, 2013 12 p.m. - 12:20 p.m. CDT Join the May NFSN LunchBites Webinar and learn how local beef is being successfully incorporated into school meals. First, a team from Kalispell, Montana will share their story about how working with local ranchers and a local beef processing company has allowed them to incorporate healthy, locally raised beef that is actually less expensive than the non-local alternative. Then learn about a region-wide effort where collaborators are working across state lines to bring local beef to institutions in New England. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides |
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Debt Financing for Farm-to-School Enterprises (Register Here)
Tue, Mar 26th, 2013 THIS SPECIAL WEBINAR IS NOT PART OF OUR REGULAR LUNCH BITES SERIES: NOTE DATE AND TIME 1 p.m. -2 p.m. CDT Come and learn about the finance industry’s interest in financing Farm to School related enterprises. Discussion topics will include the types of organizations and projects best suited for debt financing as well as standard benchmarks required to qualify for a loan. Presenters: Ted Levinson and Kate Danaher, RSF Social Finance. RSF Social Finance is nonprofit, values-aligned financial services organization that lends money to for-profits and non-profits dedicated to improving the well-being of society and the environment in the areas of Education & the Arts, Food & Agriculture and Ecological Stewardship. Contact: Chelsey Simpson View Webinar Recording |
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Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) 2015 - Time to Start the Conversation (Register Here)
Tue, Mar 12th, 2013 12 p.m. - 12:20 p.m. CDT Is it really that time again? Congress passed a reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Bill in 2010, but we are already planning for the next reauthorization round in 2015. This important piece of legislation will have a huge impact on child nutrition and school food. Join seasoned policy experts to hear about the history of this legislation, the planning timeline for CNR 2015 and the many important provisions in the CNR 2010 bill that impact Farm to School initiatives across the country. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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Using school garden produce in school food service (Register Here)
Tue, Feb 12th, 2013 School gardens ... what better way to engage students in healthy eating experiences? Serving garden produce in school food service programs presents new challenges, but it can be done! This webinar will address these challenges and offer specific strategies and recommendations to successfully connect school garden produce with the school food service programs. Hear about great garden successes from New York and Connecticut school districts and these programs' impacts on students and their food experiences. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides Download Resources View Webinar Recording |
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Professional Development for School Food Service: Cooking classes with seasonal ingredients and glo (Register Here)
Tue, Dec 11th, 2012 Come learn about professional development for school food service workers based on hands-on, family-style cooking classes incorporating seasonal ingredients and global flavor profiles. Participants will be introduced to the methodology used to increase the confidence and expertise in cooking with fresh foods, multiple herbs and spices, and how that impacts the purchasing of fresh ingredients and helps to create a sustainable Farm to School lunch. Presenters: Georgeanne Brennan and Ann M. Evans, Evans & Brennan, LLC school lunch consultants and authors, Cooking with California Foods, K-12 (Center for Ecoliteracy, 2011) Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Resources View Webinar Recording |
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Farm to Preschool: Resources and success stories for a growing movement (Register Here)
Tue, Nov 13th, 2012 TIME: 12 P.M. CDT The main webinar presentation will last 20 minutes followed by a Q&A session. Come learn about the National Farm to School Network’s exciting Farm to Preschool initiative (all early childcare settings included). Participants will be introduced to the Farm to Preschool movement and resources, find out how to get involved, and get a closer look at some example programs from across the country. Presenters: Emily Jackson, ASAP; Zoe Phillips, UEPI; and Stacey Sobell, Ecotrust. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides Download Resources View Webinar Recording |
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12,000 Schools: Numbers and research that support Farm to School success (Register Here)
Tue, Oct 9th, 2012 TIME: 12 P.M. CDT The main webinar presentation will last 20 minutes followed by a Q&A session. This webinar will release the results of an internal survey conducted by the National Farm to School Network that demonstrates the growth of Farm to School across the country. The webinar will also highlight past research that demonstrates the important role Farm to School plays in supporting healthy children and healthy communities. Use this webinar to gain the information you need to be an effective advocate for Farm to School in your community! Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides Download Resources View Webinar Recording |
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Food, Farm and Nutrition Curriculum Connections: Developing Educational Experiences That Meet Teache (Register Here)
Tue, Sep 11th, 2012 NOTE: This webinar will be a full hour, not 20 minutes as usual. Join members of the Farm Based Education and Farm to School Communities across the country to discuss how to develop educational experiences on farms and in gardens that reflect classroom curricula goals. We’ll discuss strategies for developing lessons and activities that reflect classroom curriculum and meet standards. You’ll learn how to frame educational experiences as a part of a curriculum framework and we will walk through some sample activities. The webinar will also include information about the new Common Core Standards and recommended resources for you to take next steps! Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides Download Resources View Webinar Recording |
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Making the most of Farm to School Month 2012 (Register Here)
Tue, Jul 10th, 2012 Ideas and resources for celebrating National Farm to School Month in October. Contact: Chelsey Simpson View Webinar Recording |
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School Food 101 (Register Here)
Tue, Jun 12th, 2012 It is hard to be an effective advocate for school food reform if you don't know the systems and players involved. This webinar will cover the basics of where school cafeterias get their funds and their food and some of the regulations they have to follow. Presented in partnership with School Food FOCUS. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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School Gardens vs. Summer Vacation (Register Here)
Tue, May 8th, 2012 ** This webinar will begin at 11 a.m. CDT (12 EDT) This is an hour earlier than our usual start time - please make note. The webinar will last 20 min. followed by a short Q&A session. ** At most schools, summer vacation inconveniently coincides with the peak growing season, creating a challenge for school garden coordinators. Do you avoid planting things that will require care through the summer? Or do you build a program that incorporates summer activities and volunteers? Dorothy Mullen and Beth Feehan will discuss the possibilities and provide successful examples for a variety of garden situations. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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Built to last: Sustainable Farm to School programs (Register Here)
Tue, Apr 10th, 2012 Getting a program off the ground is just the first hurdle. How can we build programs that are sustainable beyond their initial funding and aren't tied to the success of one or two passionate leaders? 12 p.m. CST The presentation will last 20 minutes, followed by a Q&A session Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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Make local food sourcing a snap with FoodHub (Register Here)
Tue, Mar 13th, 2012 Come explore FoodHub – A FREE virtual networking tool that makes it easy for schools to find farmers and food producers throughout a 6-state region including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Montana and Alaska. Join us as we take a step-by-step look at how FoodHub has helped schools find farmers in their area with simple search tools, comprehensive profiles and a dynamic marketplace. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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GAP and Food Safety Planning: One farm (Register Here)
Tue, Feb 14th, 2012 TIME: 12 P.M. CST Food safety starts on the farm. Complying with local regulations and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is usually worth the time and money for farmers who want to work with schools and other large buyers, but it can seem daunting. In this webinar Susan Bergen of Peach Crest Farm in Oklahoma will tell her Farm to School story and talk about how she worked with Oklahoma State University to make her operation GAP compliant. This webinar will appeal most to farmers who are new to GAP or Farm to School and nutrition directors with questions about Farm to School and food safety. For a sneak peek of Peach Crest Farms' story, check out this recent video by SUNUP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkdVHfoVz4o&feature=player_embedded Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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Farm to School and Farm-Based Education (Register Here)
Tue, Jan 10th, 2012 How can Farm-Based Education support the work of Farm to School programs? What should you keep in mind when you are working with students on a farm? How can teachers and farm-based educators connect to support education efforts? You'll hear tips about making these connections and you'll leave with ideas for developing farm-based education opportunities that support student learning. This webinar is co-sponsored by the Farm-Based Education Association. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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The Lunch Box: Healthy Tools to Help All Schools (Register Here)
Tue, Dec 13th, 2011 The Lunch Box: Healthy Tools to Help All Schools Join us for a Webinar on December 13 Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/563601112 Chef Ann Cooper will introduce her Foundation’s website and it’s recent improvements so that attendees will have an insider’s scoop on how to make the most of this free and valuable resource. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, school employee or an advocate for improving school food this webinar will speak to you and help support your farm to school efforts. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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School Food Transformation at the Los Angeles Unified School District (Register Here)
Tue, Nov 22nd, 2011 How LAUSD eliminated commodity foods, significantly increased purchase of fruits and vegetables within a 200 mile radius, dramatically changed the lunch menu, and did it without an increase in budget! Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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Farm to School: Cooking with Children in the Classroom (Register Here)
Thu, Oct 20th, 2011 Want to learn tips for bringing dynamic cooking experiences to children? Ever wonder which recipes work best in the classroom setting? Whether you are a community organizer, parent or teacher, this webinar will offer key considerations and solutions to cooking in the classroom. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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Farm to School Month Across the Nation (Register Here)
Tue, Oct 11th, 2011 October is Farm to School Month! How are communities across the country celebrating? Panelists from Farm to School programs in Alaska, California and Washington, D.C. will talk about their Farm to School Month activities. Get inspired and learn how you can use the resources at www.farmtoschoolmonth.org to make the most of the month. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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Farm to School for parents: How to get involved
Tue, Sep 13th, 2011 THIS WEBINAR TOOK PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2011. Please refer to the slides and webinar recording below. The recording is audio-only, but you can follow along with the slides. This webinar was be presented by the National Farm to School Network in partnership with the National PTA. Agenda: 1) Explanation of Farm to School and program examples: It is fine to start small 2) Advice about starting a program or moving a new program forward - Create a month-by-month plan or one-year plan - What can I do tomorrow? 4) Success stories:Parent-led initiatives and where they are now A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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Making the Most of Farm to School Month
Tue, Aug 9th, 2011 THIS WEBINAR TOOK PLACE ON AUGUST 9, 2011. Please refer to the slides and webinar recording below and download the resources discussed on the webinar at www.farmtoschoolmonth.org Last November the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution establishing October as National Farm to School Month. This webinar will discuss resources and tips for making the most of this great, community-building opportunity. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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Farm to School Innovations in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Tue, Jun 14th, 2011 THIS WEBINAR TOOK PLACE ON JUNE 14, 2011. PLEASE SEE THE SLIDES AND AUDIO RECORDING BELOW. Creative policies and programs are taking shape all over the country. This webinar will focus on innovations in the Mid-Atlantic region and provide basic information we hope you can apply in your own community. We will discuss: - Great Kids Farm, a farm in Baltimore built for education that also supplies produce to area schools. - The D.C. Healthy Schools Act, which taxes soda to provide healthy local food for schools - Common Market, a regional wholesale distributor of local food that allows Philadelphia to have a successful Farm to School program - The Accelerator, a resource for green job seekers and a forum site for Farm to School A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Representatives from each project mentioned above will be on the call to answer questions. This webinar is part of our new "Lunch Bites" 20-minute webinar series. Short, information-packed presentations covering a variety of Farm to School topics will take place at 12 p.m. CST on the second Tuesday of every month. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides View Webinar Recording |
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Evaluating your Farm to School program - Best practices and tools
Tue, May 10th, 2011 THIS WEBINAR TOOK PLACE MAY 10, 2011. PLEASE SEE THE MATERIALS, VIDEO AND SLIDES BELOW. As Farm to School programs continue to develop, there is a need to create a strong evidence-base for these efforts to strengthen programs, practices, and policies. This webinar will highlight impacts from a national multi-site evaluation of Farm to School programs conducted by UNC, share tools and evaluation strategies and provide a framework for identifying and using preferred methods of evaluation by Farm to School programs across the country. Speakers - Phyllis Fleming, UNC; Amy Paxton, National Farm to School Network; Anupama Joshi, National Farm to School Network Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides Download Resources View Webinar Recording |
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Farm to School: A Legislative History
Tue, Apr 12th, 2011 THIS WEBINAR TOOK PLACE APRIL 12 - If you missed it, you can download the slides and complete notes below. Marion Kalb and Megan Lott of the National Farm to School Network will give an overview of the legislation that has laid the groundwork for today's Farm to School movement. This will be especially helpful for those who are new to policy work and anyone who is working on the Farm Bill for the first time. Contact: Chelsey Simpson Download Slides |